Tetra pak, In collaboration with Garcia Carrion, has presented the first application of its paper-based barrier technology for juice packagingThis innovation, focused on more sustainable packaging solutions for the food industry, represents a significant step towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The new material has already begun its gradual introduction into various markets.
Tetra Pak and García Carrión have launched the packaging Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200 ml Slim Leaf with paper-based barrier for juices, under the Don Simón brandThis is the world's first single-serving juice container to incorporate this technology and the first of its kind available on the Spanish market.
Made with up to 80% paper, the packaging reinforces its commitment to sustainability. The combination of the paper-based barrier with plant-based polymers used in the packaging material layers raises the percentage of renewable materials to 92%, while reduces carbon footprint by 43% compared to an aseptic container that uses an aluminum layer, as certified by Carbon Trust.
“We are proud to lead the transformation towards more sustainable packaging for the juice category. For more than 135 years, García Carrión has been committed to responsible innovation and respect for the environment,” he states. José García Carrión, president of García Carrión“This innovation supports our mission to reduce our environmental impact while offering high-quality products to our consumers,” he added. Fala Corujo, vice president of García Carrión.
Tatiana Liceti, Executive Vice President, Packaging Solutions at Tetra PakHe emphasized: “This launch represents a significant milestone on our journey towards fully renewable and recyclable packaging. By working closely with our customers, we are demonstrating that sustainable innovation can be extended to all markets and categories, while ensuring that the packaging retains its functionality and quality.”
What is a paper-based barrier?
The paper-based barrier developed by Tetra Pak represents a major advance in the design of aseptic carton packaging. It replaces the traditional aluminum layer with a renewable paper-based solutionThis facilitates the transition to materials with a lower environmental impact and reduces the packaging's carbon footprint. This barrier, along with other packaging layers, protects against oxygen, light, moisture, and bacteria, ensuring food safety and a shelf life comparable to that of aluminum-lined packaging.
Aseptic cartons with the new paper-based barrier can be collected, sorted, and recycled on a large scale wherever suitable recycling infrastructure is available. Furthermore, this new technology is expected to contribute to improving the efficiency of the recycling infrastructure. These benefits include: maximizing the recovery of paper content from the recycling process of cardboard packaging, while ensuring high quality of the fiber and non-fiber fractions.
Tetra Pak's first commercial application of a paper-based barrier carton for food and beverages was launched in 2023 in collaboration with a dairy company in Portugal. This development was recognized as a disruptive innovation in sustainable packaging and received the "Resource Efficiency" award at the 2024 Sustainable Packaging News Awards.
